Classic Homemade Lasagna with Ricotta and Mozzarella

Instructions

1. Prepare the meat sauce. In a Dutch oven or large pot over medium heat, cook the ground beef, Italian sausage, diced onion, and garlic until browned and fully cooked. Drain excess fat.
2. Add tomatoes and seasonings. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and a little water if needed for consistency. Season with sugar, parsley, basil, salt, Italian seasoning, fennel seeds (optional), and black pepper. Simmer, covered, for 1 ½ hours, stirring occasionally to develop deep flavors.
3. Cook lasagna noodles. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add lasagna noodles and cook for 8–10 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to prevent sticking.
4. Prepare ricotta mixture. In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, remaining parsley, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Stir until smooth and creamy.
5. Preheat oven. Set oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
6. Assemble the lasagna. Spread 1 ½ cups of meat sauce on the bottom of the baking dish. Layer 6 noodles lengthwise over the sauce. Spread half of the ricotta mixture over the noodles. Sprinkle 1/3 of the mozzarella cheese on top, spoon 1 ½ cups of meat sauce over the cheese, and sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan.
7. Add remaining layers. Repeat the layers with the remaining noodles, ricotta, mozzarella, and meat sauce. Finish with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top.
8. Cover and bake. Cover the dish with foil, making sure it does not touch the cheese or spray the foil with cooking spray. Bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 25 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.
9. Rest and serve. Allow lasagna to rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing to help it set. Serve warm with a side salad or garlic bread.

Recipe Details

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
• Servings: 8–10
• Difficulty: Medium

Variations & Substitutions

• Swap ricotta for cottage cheese for a lighter filling.
• Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef and sausage for a leaner option.
• Add sautéed vegetables such as spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini between layers for extra nutrition.
• Experiment with different cheeses like provolone or fontina for added depth.

Serving Suggestions